Life in the English seafaring town of Wallsend has always revolved around the local shipyard, where the hardworking men of this close-knit community construct magnificent vessels with tremendous pride. But Gideon Fletcher dreams of a different future. He sets out to travel the world, leaving his life and his love behind. When Gideon returns home fourteen years later, he finds the shipyard's future in grave danger and his childhood sweetheart engaged to someone else. As the men of Wallsend take their fate into their own hands and build a towering representation of the shared dream that has defined their existence, Gideon realizes that he left behind more than he could have ever imagined.

Big, bold and hauntingly beautiful, ''The Last Ship'' is a portrait of a group of people so bound together by passion and faith that they’ll stop at nothing to preserve the only life they’ve ever known.

Just saw Sting's "The Last Ship" in its world premiere engagement in Chicago. What a powerful show! Sting reaches new heights as an artist. Beautiful, haunting music and poetic lyrics from start to finish. A strong bunch of characters from the leads right through to the smaller roles. One of the best ensembles I've seen in any recent show. Insightful direction by Joe Mantello. The timely story can be related to what's happening in the world today! Yes, the book could use strengthening and the story more focused, especially with its lead character, but there's so much excellence on display that it can only improve with time. Kudos to all involved for making me care about a world I previously knew nothing about.

Jan 13, 2014

''Tyne'', a play about the river Tyne to which Sting has donated the use of some of his songs from The Last Ship, is being revived by popular demand. Premiered at Live Theatre, Newcastle last year it returns to both north and south of the river, to The Customs House in South Shields and Newcastle Theatre Royal in February and March. Tyne features live music inspired by the river compiled by the show's musical director, Kathryn Tickell, including from Sting's most recent album, The Last Ship, songs written by Jimmy Nail and Alex Glasgow. Other traditional folk songs connected to the river adapted and arranged for the play by Kathryn are sung and performed with live musical accompaniment by the cast. For more information see www.live.org.uk/live-theatre-productions-on-tour.